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Lists that rank the best and worst characters, moments, films, costumes, and etc. in DC Comics history.

DC Comics

Batman

DC Comics has a stable of great, iconic heroes on their roster, and while fans of Marvel would vehemently disagree &ndash; some of the best of all time. Batman, Superman, and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dc-wonder-woman-vs-greek-mythology/maggie-clancy" target="_blank">Wonder Woman</a> are all top DC heroes, and they have been and will remain as some of the most iconic and important <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/superheroes-ranked-by-most-comic-book-appearances/ranker-comics?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">superheroes of all time</a>. Pick your choices for the best DC characters and rank them as you see fit, or just vote for your faves! Take a look at this list of DC superheroes!

Who are the top DC characters? Do you prefer Flash over Batman or Green Arrow? Let us know! Vote up <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-superheroes-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the greatest superheroes</a> from the DC Universe or make your own ReRank of&nbsp;this DC heroes list with your personal favorites listed as the top 10 DC heroes. From popular names to lesser known good guys, these are the very best DC heroes ever.&nbsp;

&quot;Strength&quot; in comic books is hard to qualify, or quantify. One character always has to be stronger than another or there are no stakes. Which is why it seems like everyone in the DC Universe somehow has access to the &quot;extremely rare&quot; Kryptonite... But power, power is another story.

These are the most powerful beings, entities, and characters in all of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/tags/dc-comics?ref=internalCrossLinking_tag">DC Comics</a>. The characters on this list are those that possess the strength, intelligence, and abilities to rival the gods! (There are some gods on this list, and not necessarily at the top.)

We want to know&nbsp;who YOU think is the most powerful being! Whose more powerful The Spectre or Parallax? Anti-Monitor or Imperiex? Superman Prime or Darkseid?

Vote up those your think are the most powerful! Vote down those that aren&#39;t worthy! And when you&#39;re finished with this list, you can also vote on the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/strongest-characters-in-dceu/ashley-reign" target="_blank">strongest characters in the DCEU</a>.

DCEU

Who are the&nbsp;strongest characters in the DCEU&nbsp;(<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-dceu-movies/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">DC Extended Universe</a>)? Here&#39;s where you get to decide. Below, you&#39;ll find a collection of characters from the world of DC&nbsp;along with a few stats that detail exactly who they are and what they can do. You&#39;ll find both heroes and villains alike who wield all manner of extraordinary powers.

From otherworldly beings such as Superman to regular guys with really cool trinkets, whose bad side would you least like to end up on?&nbsp;Whether they&#39;re good, evil, or somewhere in between, let the world know which are your picks for the most powerful&nbsp;DC characters of all time!

Comic books thrive on bright colors, exciting action, and awesome costumes. You can tell a lot about a hero or a villain by their super garb. Unfortunately, a lot of that super doesn&#39;t translate so well to 3D, much less moving at 24 frames per second. We all know the design and illustrations that go into making up our favorite comic heroes represent real art. Likewise, the costume designers who construct tangible, wearable designs from their own imaginations is also an art, though these don&#39;t always mix.

Spandex wrinkles and crinkles and shows every burrito. Heels? Yeah, fighting in heels seems like a great idea. Capes? Ha. Right. Capes. These are those costumes that didn&#39;t turn out so hot, those that looked better in 2D, these are the worst adaptations of DC Comics costumes!

Character Costumes

Comic books thrive on bright colors, exciting action, and awesome costumes. You can tell a lot about a hero or a villain by their super garb. It&#39;s especially hard to translate that 2D skill to 3D, and even harder when it has to be moving at 24 frames per second.

We all know the design and illustrations that go into making up our favorite comic heroes is truly an art form. Likewise, the costume designers who construct tangible, wearable, designs from their own imaginations is also an art.&nbsp;

These people have to somehow make <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/robin-hood-men-in-tights-cast-then-and-now/melissa-sartore?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">men in tights</a> believable. We have to believe a big blue glowing naked guy might just hang out with a dude that has an ink blot test on his face. We have to believe in a Batman. A Bat. Man.&nbsp;

These are those impressive feats in costume design, those artists who create magic with their hands and sewing machines, these are the best adaptations of DC Comics costumes.

Fan Theories

There is&nbsp;no shortage of DC Extended Universe fan theories on the internet. Whether it’s <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/batman-fan-theories/cehudspeth" target="_blank">Batman fan theories</a>, Superman fan theories, Wonder Woman fan theories, or insane mega-conspiracies that tie <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-dc-comics-heroes" target="_blank">every corner of the DCEU</a> together, fans have not been shy about sharing their opinions about what’s “really” going on in the world of Gotham City and Metropolis. Though most DC fans won’t admit it, the fact that the DCEU’s storytelling has been more than a little confusing at times has only added to the appetite for fan theorizing.DC movies&nbsp;(and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/marvel-comic-book-fan-theories/stephanroget" target="_blank">comic book movies</a> in general)&nbsp;often deliberately leave themselves open for fan speculation. It’s been a staple of the industry ever since <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/marvel-studios-fan-theories/zack-howe" target="_blank">Marvel Studios</a> ended Iron Man with an internet-breaking tease for The Avengers. The DCEU has been intentionally ambiguous on many topics, and that’s allowed fans to determinedly pool their creative talents into filling in the gaps.

Robbing a bank in a colorful costume isn&#39;t the behavior of a model citizen, but it doesn&#39;t hold a candle to the worst things the DC villains have ever done. Ever since comic books started to mature in a post-Watchmen world, the villains have gotten a whole lot scarier. Whether it&#39;s <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/awful-batman-villain-acts/jacobybancroft" target="_blank">brutalizing a loved one</a> or destroying a planet, the list of their collective misdeeds is pretty bleak.&nbsp;

If you stopped reading comic books when you were a kid&nbsp;and Batman was still wearing blue, you&#39;re in for quite a ride. Follow along and vote up the acts of evil that you think go&nbsp;above and beyond.&nbsp;

Characters in DC comics are often criticized for being emotionally shallow when compared to those that appear in Marvel titles. A lot of this is rooted in the idea that while Marvel characters are, for the most part, ordinary people that become something extraordinary, DC characters are often seen as gods trying to live among men, making it significantly more difficult for readers to connect with them on a more personal level. That's not to say that there aren't moments in DC comics that will <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/saddest-anime-series-of-all-time/ranker-anime?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">make you cry</a>.The thing Marvel excels at is establishing an emotional relationship with the reader relatively fast, where DC comics definitely focus on the long game when it comes to falling in love with a character. They have this habit of lulling you into a false sense of security before&nbsp;BAM! That character is taken away from you and your heart is crushed - not knowing how much you cared about that character until they're gone.&nbsp;Vote up the emotional DC comics moments that hit you hard in the feels.

Superheroes

Zoom

Archenemy, arch-rival, arch-nemesis whatever you want to call it, it's personal. The yin to the yang, the polar opposite, that villain that stands for all that you stand against.Polarity in comics is important, without clear and dangerous evil there can be no altruistic and noble good. We need the dark to appreciate the light.Oftentimes a hero's arch-nemesis reflects their own beliefs and/or their own psyche. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/times-the-joker-was-good/nathan-gibson?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The Joker is</a> an agent of chaos where Batman strives for order. Superman is an alien force striving for altruistic good whereas Lex Luthor is a man of this world, striving for his own good.&nbsp;Keep in mind, these are comic history's major rivalries and there can be only one per super hero (sorry, that means no Riddler or Brainiac).These baddies may overlap other DC properties, but there really is only one main rivalry they are known for.&nbsp;They represent the epic confrontations, the big bads, the best arch-enemies in DC Comics.&nbsp; &nbsp; Make sure to vote-up your favorite Archenemies from the DC Comic Universe!

Whether they were good from the outset or they came around to the&nbsp;idea after a few years, there are few characters in the DC Comics universe who have a happy backstory. The company&rsquo;s heroes were often pushed into greatness by the unhappiness they faced in their everyday lives. Characters like Batman and Rorschach from Watchmen have both experienced great losses and see lawbreaking everywhere they look and no one doing anything about it. Rather than call 911 and wait for the police, they put on costumes and take matters into their own hands.

On the flip side of that coin, anti-heroes like Harley Quinn are happy to live a life of chaos until it all falls apart around them, and their grim backstories make it even harder for these former villains to turn their lives around. While the backstory of many of these characters comes from witnessing a close personal tragedy, some of them were simply twisted until they popped and had no other choice than to adopt the life of a masked hero.&nbsp;

Comic Books

Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero

A list of the best DC animated feature length movies including new DC animated movies as well. These are feature length animated films based on DC comics such as Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern, characters that live within the DC Universe. In the 1990s, when live action <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-based-on-detective-comics/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">movies based on DC Comics</a> were in a slump, the Warner Bros' DC animation division took the reins, putting forth great quality animated films led by the likes of Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Alan Burnett. Today, animated films based on DC Comics are still popular.&nbsp; &nbsp; What are the best DC animated movies? Are the animated Batman movies like Batman: Under the Red Hood and Batman Beyond: The Return of the Joker your favorites? DC Comics is currently owned by DC Entertainment, which in turn is owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment. These may not be all the DC animated movies, but they are the greatest. &nbsp;You may think this is a list of DC movies, but in fact it is list of DC animated movies only. So you won’t find the likes of The Dark Knight, or Man of Steel here, but you will for sure see all the Superman animated movies. Maybe once DC makes enough we can have a Justice League movies list. &nbsp;

Entertainment Franchises

While Marvel might lay claim to box office offerings, the best DC animated shows dominate&nbsp;the world of cartoons and animated content. In the 1990s, a major shift in tone set in,&nbsp;transitioning from the campy offerings of the 1960s and 1970s to a darker and more cinematic feel thanks to Bruce Timm&#39;s Batman: The Animated Series, released in 1992. This genre-defining show, one of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-dc-comic-book-television-show/ranker-tv" target="_blank">best cartoons based on DC comics</a>,&nbsp;introduced new characters&nbsp;like Poison Ivy and Harley, who&nbsp;transitioned over to the comics and&nbsp;became&nbsp;staples in Batman&#39;s gallery of rogues. Furthermore, Batman: The Animated Series&nbsp;ignited&nbsp;an animation revolution, spawning the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dc-comics-animated-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">DC Animated Universe</a> of both TV and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/dc-comics-animated-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">film</a>, affectionately referred to as the &quot;Timmverse&quot;&nbsp;due to Timm&#39;s signature art style.

This created a shared universe between most of the shows DC and Warner Brothers produced between 1992 and 2006, culminating with Justice League: Unlimited, beating out Marvel&#39;s Shared Cinematic Universe by nearly a decade. Included below are the the best DC animated shows ever created, who all built upon their predecessors to continue telling&nbsp;the timeless DC pursuit of justice. Some even topped the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-superhero-tv-shows/ranker-tv" target="_blank">list of best comic book TV shows of all time</a>, so it goes to show that in the end, justice really does pay off.

Almost as important as their powers is a superhero's costume. The clothes make the man and all that. Things to consider in outfitting your hero are: the ability to disguise it's heroes secret identity, translation of powers to costume, color schemes, team affiliation, (theoretical) practicality, and of course looking awesome.Many of these heroes, in addition to being clad in some of the most iconic suits in the world, have had so many other, supplemental costumes. For example, you see the Batman costume or even a part of it, mask, chest, anything and it's instantly recognizable. Beyond that main outfit, the Frank Miller suit is almost just as well known. Sometimes an alternate suit can become a fan favorite, and be made canon too.All of these variations have served their individual purposes throughout the years. These are the best alternate costumes of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-dc-comics-heroes?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">DC Comics superheroes</a>. The criteria for this list, each costume must have been worn one full issue or more with the intent of being an alternate outfit, slight color variations per artist don't count nor do transformations. Also, keep a look our for alternate costumes from DC <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-comic-book-video-games/ranker-comics?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Comic video games</a>, like Injustice.&nbsp;

When people think of DC Comics and their expansive universe dating back more than 80 years, most focus on the&nbsp;impressive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/powerful-characters-dc-comics/ranker-comics" target="_blank">characters</a>: Superman, Wonder Woman, and&nbsp;the sad orphan&nbsp;in the flying rat costume. Few&nbsp;consider the most powerful weapons of DC comics: a massive arsenal of immensely powerful tools and deadly substances. Of course,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/marvel-universe-most-powerful-weapons-ranked/stephanroget" target="_blank">Marvel</a><a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/marvel-universe-most-powerful-weapons-ranked/stephanroget" target="_blank">&nbsp;comics weapons</a> are also inarguably cataclysmic, but DC may have the most potent armory in all of comicdom.While&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-dc-comics-heroes" target="_blank">DC comic heroes</a> will always be front and center, it's occasionally&nbsp;fun to focus on the&nbsp;infinitely powerful devices, tools, and armaments in their stories,&nbsp;wielded by&nbsp;the forces of both good and evil. Batman's utility belt doesn't stand a chance against the&nbsp;destructive force of these reality-bending weapons.

Crime doesn&#39;t pay, and in the world of DC superhero films, it usually&nbsp;ends in some sort of karmic justice. Whether it be <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/strongest-characters-in-dceu/ashley-reign" target="_blank">General Zod&nbsp;duking it out with&nbsp;Superman</a> or Ares dueling Wonder Woman, most DC villains are so driven by their beliefs that they don&#39;t turn back when it leads to a dead end. To live by the sword is to die by the sword, and to live by a twisted sense of justice is to have that same set of rules applied to yourself, ultimately leading to your doom.&nbsp;

In real life, villains don&#39;t always get what they deserve. It seems like more often than not, the worst among us live lavish lives of luxury. That&#39;s why it&#39;s so cathartic to turn to the world of superheroes and see a villain actually face consequences for their actions. Below are a set of the most poetic, cathartic, and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-deserved-action-villain-ends/williamsbrianjake" target="_blank">satisfying villain demises</a> and punishments in DC&#39;s cinematic output.

The events of the video game franchise Injustice: Gods Among Us could be said to depict its central characters in ways never-before-seen in the pages of DC Comics - if not for the existence of the accompanying Injustice comic storyline, that is. Whereas most video game tie-in comics live short and insignificant lives, the Injustice series and its various sequels lasted from 2013 until 2018 -&nbsp;and it pushed the tale of a despotic Superman well beyond what fans could experience through their Playstations and X-Boxes.

Like the game that inspired it, the Injustice run of comics is renowned for its violence and brutality, and for the sheer shock-and-awe that comes from seeing traditional caped crusaders placed in situations with permanent -&nbsp;and often fatal -&nbsp;consequences. Typically, when a comic book hero perishes, readers can always count on them eventually returning to life -&nbsp;but not so in the Injustice universe, the grimmest and grittiest of alternate timelines.

Comic Book Movies

Beginning in 2013 with&nbsp;Man of Steel, the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dceu-movie-details/jonathan-kantor" target="_blank">DC Cinematic Universe</a> includes blockbuster films featuring superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. With deep backstories and complex, overlapping mythologies, these hit movies have been hugely successful, but that doesn&#39;t mean they&#39;re impervious to scrutiny. Fans of films like&nbsp;Wonder Woman 1984&nbsp;and&nbsp;Justice League&nbsp;have found quite a few plot holes and inconsistencies across the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/more-dceu-fan-theories/joedonley" target="_blank">DCEU</a>. Some are simple, like the fact&nbsp;that Wonder Woman should definitely know what marriage is from her readings of Socrates. Others use the chronological timeline to make their case, such as the plot hole&nbsp;that if Aquaman was named after Hurricane Arthur&nbsp;like is stated in his standalone film, he&#39;d&nbsp;only be two years old at the time of the story. There are even issues that take a look at the bigger picture, pointing out that Superman doesn&#39;t really need Batman in&nbsp;Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

If you love the DC movies&nbsp;and have a knack for <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/comic-book-movie-plot-holes/jonathan-mendelsohn" target="_blank">finding logical problems</a> on screen, check out this list of DCEU plot holes found by fans.

They say &quot;when it bleeds, it reads&quot; and comic books are no exception. However, for a superhero comic publisher that's frequently aimed at younger readers, there sure is a lot of gore in DC Comics. While it usually isn't as visceral as <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/bloody-violent-vertigo-comics-scenes/jacobybancroft">Vertigo</a> or other mature publishers, there certainly are a great number of violent DC Comics moments.Remember when Black Adam poked a man's eyes out? Or when Animal ripped a wolf asunder? Or one of the several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/gory-moments-marvel-comic-book-history/jeffrichard">gory comics</a> that featured the Joker maiming a victim or himself? Take a violent look down memory lane at this list of some the goriest moments in DC comics.

Ever wonder what it&#39;s like to be a part of a supervillain&nbsp;group chat?&nbsp;<a href="https://textsfromsuperheroes.com/" target="_blank">Texts From Superheroes</a>, run by comedians&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Ivimey" target="_blank">Andrew Ivimey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/WordsOfDiana" target="_blank">Diana McCallum</a>, imagine the hilarious messages DC villains send to each other, as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://fromsuperheroes.com/" target="_blank">The From Superheroes Network</a>.&nbsp;

Harley Quinn is a hot commodity these days, as you can tell by her frequent texts with other villains. And as usual, there are villains like Bizarro or Metallo&nbsp;who no one wants to hear from.&nbsp;Browse below and vote up the&nbsp;texts from DC&nbsp;supervillains&nbsp;that make you laugh.&nbsp;

Most of the time in comic books, characters get around via with some pretty cool alternative transportation. There are grappling hooks, jet packs, power rings, and of course, a bunch of superheroes can fly. The world of comics isn't exactly a car friendly environment, especially since most superheroes are based in cities, and traffic isn't conducive to crime fighting.There are some exceptions though. Some super vehicles last for a few issues, while others are a staple of the character, regularly helping them get from point A to point B. Some are awesome (like the Batmobile), while some... aren't quite as cool (hello, Invisible Jet). This list features all the vehicles from the DC Comics universe, from the glorious, to the lame, ranked by the Ranker Comics community. Cast your votes on cars below to join in and have your voice heard.

The Universe of DC Comics

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Here are the best DC villains ranked best to worst by comic book fans.&nbsp;These popular bad guys in DC Comics are the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/worst-things-dc-villains-have-done/williamsbrianjake" target="_blank">best of the worst&nbsp;supervillains</a>&nbsp;and they&#39;re all listed here. The top DC villains on this list of baddies may not have been around too long as we&#39;ve added new DC villains for you to vote on.

For over 80 years, DC Comics has been publishing some of the best comic book villains of all time, including the Joker, Lex Luthor, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-riddler-riddles/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">the Riddler</a>, Deathstroke, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/batman-nemesis-bane/stephanroget" target="_blank">Bane</a>, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/baby-darkseid-story/brent-sprecher" target="_blank">Darkseid</a>, and Brainiac. From Batman enemies to Superman&#39;s toughest foes, this ranking of the greatest DC villains features violent psychopaths, mad scientists, and omnipotent beings.&nbsp;

Who is the best DC comic book villain? Who is the best DC superhero nemesis? Who are the top DC&nbsp;supervillains? Who <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dc-characters-missing-from-the-dceu-movies/williamsbrianjake" target="_blank">deserves a better DCEU version</a>?Vote on this list of the greatest DC villains and find out! If you think one of these super villains isn&#39;t worth a match-up with the Justice League, vote them down. If your favorite DC bad guy isn&#39;t on the list, add them so they can compete for the title of the greatest DC villain.

Best DC Villains | Ranking All DC Comics Enemies, Best to Worst

The Greatest Villains In DC Comics, Ranked

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AMAZON

Joker

The Joker is a fictional supervillain who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane, and first appeared in Batman #1. Credit for the character's creation is disputed; Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for the Joker's design, while acknowledging Finger's writing contribution.

Deathstroke

Deathstroke the Terminator is a fictional supervillain, and sometimes antihero, who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. He is a mercenary and assassin who first appeared in The New Teen Titans #2. Wizard magazine rated him the 24th greatest villain of all time and the 32nd greatest comic book character of all time. Also, in 2009, Deathstroke was ranked as IGN's 32nd greatest comic book villain of all time.
Originally a villain for the Teen Titans, writers have developed him over the years as an antagonist for the older heroes Batman and Green Arrow as well, establishing parallels between him and Batman and a deep-seated grudge between him and Green Arrow. His role as a villain for Batman and Green Arrow is reflected by his prominence in Batman video games and animated films, and in the Arrow television series.

Darkseid

Darkseid is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134, and he was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby. Darkseid is one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, he has appeared in four decades of DC Comics publications, featuring prominently in the New Gods titles and limited series as the nemesis of the New Gods and Superman. He has also been associated with the DC Comics related media and merchandise such as animated television series, toys, trading cards, and video games. Darkseid was ranked at No #6 on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time in 2014.

Lex Luthor

Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Lex Luthor is the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the character first appeared in Action Comics #23. Luthor is a wealthy, power-mad business magnate, one of the most intelligent beings in the DC Universe, and has incredible technological prowess. Lex Luthor's goals typically center on killing Superman, the foremost obstacle to achieving the villain's megalomaniacal goals. Despite periodically wearing a powered exoskeleton, Luthor has traditionally lacked superpowers or a dual identity. Lex Luthor has carefully crafted his public persona in order to avoid suspicion and arrest. He is well known for his philanthropy, donating millions of dollars to Metropolis over the years, funding parks, foundations, and charities.
Lex Luthor typically appears in comic books and other media as a business magnate with a bald head.

Bane

Bane is a supervillain, often antihero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character's origin was in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1, and was created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan. Bane has been one of Batman's more physically and intellectually powerful foes. He is often credited for being the only villain to have "Broken The Bat". IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Bane as #34.
Bane was portrayed by Robert Swenson in the 1997 film Batman & Robin, and by Tom Hardy as the main antagonist in the 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises.

Scarecrow

The Scarecrow is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. His alter ego is Dr. Jonathan Crane, a psychologist and psychiatrist who uses a variety of drugs and psychological tactics to exploit the fears and phobias of his adversaries. He is a member of Batman's rogues gallery.
Although he made only two appearances in the Golden Age of Comic Books, the character was revived during the Silver Age of Comic Books by writer Gardner Fox and artist Sheldon Moldoff in the pages of Batman #189 and has since become a staple Batman villain. The Scarecrow has been featured in other DC Comics-endorsed products such as feature films, video games, animated television programs, and merchandise such as action figures. Irish actor Cillian Murphy portrayed the Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. He was voiced by Henry Polic II and Jeffrey Combs on Batman: The Animated Series. In 2009, the Scarecrow was ranked as IGN's 58th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.

Two-Face

Harvey "Two-Face" Dent is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66, and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Harvey Dent was once a clean-cut district attorney of Gotham City and an ally of Batman. However, he goes insane after mob boss Sal Maroni throws acid at him during a trial, hideously scarring the left side of his face. He adopts the "Two-Face" persona and becomes a criminal, choosing to bring about good or evil based upon the outcome of a coin flip. Originally, Two-Face was one of many gimmick-focused comic book villains, plotting crimes based around the number two, such as robbing Gotham Second National Bank at 2:00 on February 2 and stealing 2 million dollars.
In his autobiography, Batman creator Bob Kane claims to have been inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, specifically the 1931 film version which he saw as a boy. Some inspiration was also derived from the pulp magazine character the Black Bat whose origin story included having acid splashed in his face.

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel) is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, and first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in September 1992, voiced by actress Arleen Sorkin. She later appeared in DC Comics's Batman comic books, with the character's first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993). In her depictions she has been portrayed as a physician psychiatrist and as a psychologist. Harley Quinn made her first live action appearance as part of the main cast in the live-action 2016 film Suicide Squad, in which she is portrayed by actress Margot Robbie. Robbie will return to play the character in the 2020 film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Quinn is also set to appear in her own upcoming animated series Harley Quinn in October 2019 as part of the DC Universe streaming service, voiced by Kaley Cuoco.
Harley Quinn is a frequent accomplice and lover of the Joker, whom she met while working as an intern psychiatrist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, where the Joker was a patient. Her name is a play on the name "Harlequin", a character which originated in commedia dell'arte. The character has teamed up with fellow villains the Catwoman and Poison Ivy several times, the trio being known as the Gotham City Sirens. Poison Ivy is known to be a close friend and recurring ally of Harley, even being depicted as her girlfriend in recent comics. Since The New 52, she is now depicted as an antihero and has left her past as a supervillain behind. However, she is still depicted as a supervillain in other media. Harley Quinn has also been depicted as a member of the Suicide Squad.

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a fictional DC Comics supervillainess who is primarily an enemy of Batman. Created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff, she made her first appearance in Batman #181.
Poison Ivy is depicted as one of the world's most prominent eco-terrorists. She is obsessed with plants, botany, and environmentalism. She uses toxins from plants and mind controlling pheromones for her criminal activities, which are usually aimed at protecting the natural environment. Fellow villain Harley Quinn became her recurring partner-in-crime and her best friend. She has proven to be one of Batman's more powerful foes, being one of the few members of the Dark Knight's Rogues Gallery to display anything close to superpowers. The character has been portrayed as a love interest for Batman in some comics. In one comic, she was robbing a charity gala Bruce Wayne was attending. Her first kiss was poison, the second its antidote. When they first meet, her toxic lips planted a seed of toxic rapture in Bruce. But when she later kissed a dying Dark Knight, she unknowingly cured her intended victim and established a budding romantic tension between them.

Riddler

The Riddler (Edward Nigma or Nygma) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang. He first appeared in Detective Comics #140 (October 1948). The character is commonly depicted as a criminal mastermind in Gotham City who takes delight in incorporating riddles and puzzles into his schemes, leaving them as clues for the authorities to solve. The Riddler is one of the most enduring enemies of superhero Batman and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.
In 2009, The Riddler was ranked as IGN's 59th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time. The character has been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including feature films, television series, and video games. The Riddler has been voiced by John Glover in the DC animated universe, Robert Englund in The Batman, and Wally Wingert in the Batman: Arkham video game series. He has been portrayed in live-action by Frank Gorshin and John Astin in the 1960s Batman television series, Jim Carrey in the 1995 film Batman Forever, and Cory Michael Smith in the television series Gotham.

Professor Zoom

Eobard Thawne, also known as "Professor Zoom" and "Reverse-Flash", is a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe. Thawne is the archenemy and a foil of the superhero Barry Allen, the second hero to be called the Flash. Thawne is also the second of the Reverse-Flashes, as well as a maternal forefather of Bart Allen and Owen Mercer. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, Thawne first appeared in The Flash #139 in September 1963, and remained one of Barry Allen's most formidable adversaries in comics over the next quarter century.
In Flash #324, Thawne was apparently killed by the Flash in an effort to save his fiancée, and spare her the death that Thawne gave to Flash's first wife, Iris. Largely unseen over the next 25 years except in sporadic appearances, Thawne was resurrected by writer Geoff Johns in 2009's The Flash: Rebirth, and reimagined as a major villain in the DC Universe with his reintroduction. Johns compares this to his similar treatment of Green Lantern villain Sinestro in an early outline of the Rebirth series.

Mr. Freeze

Dr. Victor Fries is a fictional character from the 1997 film Batman & Robin.

Catwoman

Catwoman is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics and is associated with the Batman franchise. Historically a supervillainess and often an antiheroine, the character was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel, as well as actress Jean Harlow. The original and most widely known Catwoman, Selina Kyle, first appears in Batman #1 in which she is known as The Cat. She is usually depicted as an adversary of Batman, known for having a complex love-hate relationship with him. In her first appearance, she was a whip-carrying menace with a taste for high-stake capers.

Doomsday

Doomsday is a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Doomsday first appeared as a cameo in Superman: The Man of Steel #17 with his first full appearance in Superman: The Man of Steel #18. He was created by writer-artist Dan Jurgens, who wanted to create a villain who could be a physical challenge for Superman in a straight fight as most of his current foes relied on technology and intellect to oppose the Man of Steel.
Imagine Games Network's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Doomsday as #46. He is best known as the character who "killed" Superman.

Brainiac

Brainiac is a fictional supervillain that appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #242, and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.
An extraterrestrial android, Brainiac is a principal foe of Superman, and is responsible for shrinking and stealing Kandor, the capital city of Superman's home planet Krypton. Due to multiple revisions of DC's continuity, several variations of Brainiac have appeared. Most incarnations of Brainiac depict him as a green-skinned being in humanoid form. He is bald, except for a set of diodes protruding from his skull.
The character is the origin of the informal word which means "genius". The name itself is a portmanteau of the words brain and maniac, with influence from ENIAC, the name of an early computer. In 2009, Brainiac was ranked as IGN's 17th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.

Ra's al Ghul

Ra's al Ghul is a fictional supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Besides being considered to be one of Batman's greatest enemies, given his high status as a supervillain, Ra's al Ghul has also come into conflict with Superman and other heroes in the DC Universe. He is the son of Sensei, the father of Talia al Ghul, Nyssa Raatko, and Dusan al Ghul, and the grandfather of Damian Wayne. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head".
Ra's al Ghul has been featured in various media adaptions, most notably voiced by David Warner in Batman: The Animated Series and by Dee Bradley Baker in Batman: Arkham City, and was portrayed by actor Liam Neeson in the film Batman Begins and is currently portrayed by actor Matt Nable in the TV Series Arrow.
IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time List ranked Ra's as #7.

Black Adam

Black Adam is a fictional comic book supervillain, appearing in publications and other properties of DC Comics; he is a primary adversary of the superhero Shazam, formerly known as Captain Marvel. Black Adam was created by Otto Binder & C. C. Beck in 1945 as a one-shot villain for the first issue of Fawcett Comics' The Marvel Family comic book; however, Black Adam was revived as a recurring character after DC Comics first licensed and then acquired the Fawcett characters and began publishing Captain Marvel/Marvel Family stories under the title Shazam! in the 1970s.
As originally depicted, Black Adam was a corrupted, ancient Egyptian predecessor of Captain Marvel, who fought his way to modern times to challenge the hero and his Marvel Family associates. Since the turn of the 21st century, however, Black Adam has been re-defined by DC Comics writers Jerry Ordway, Geoff Johns, and David S. Goyer as a corrupted antihero attempting to "clear his name". Featured roles in such comic book series as Justice Society of America, Villains United, Infinite Crisis, and 52 have elevated the character to an unprecedented level of prominence in the overall "universe" of DC Comics characters.

Red Hood

The Red Hood is the alias used by multiple fictional characters, usually antagonists who challenge Batman's skills within the DC Universe.

Dimos Dicoudis

Deadshot

Deadshot is a fictional supervillain and sometimes an antihero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is primarily an enemy of Batman. The character first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz. He has since become a staple member of both the Suicide Squad and Secret Six.
IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Deadshot as #43.

Black Manta

Black Manta is a fictional supervillain appearing in DC Comics, and is the archenemy of Aquaman. The character debuted in Aquaman #35.

Sinestro

Thaal Sinestro is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, as well as in a number of television and movie adaptations. He was created in 1961 by John Broome and Gil Kane.
Sinestro is a former Green Lantern who was dishonorably discharged for abusing his power. He is the Green Lanterns' most famous villain, though he occasionally has acted in anti-heroic roles as well.

Zoom is a fictional comic book supervillain from the DC Comics universe. He is primarily associated with the superhero Wally West, the third Flash and is the third of the Reverse-Flashes. As Hunter Zolomon, he first appeared in The Flash: Secret Files & Origins #3 and was created by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins.
IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Zoom as #37.

Killer Croc

Killer Croc is a fictional supervillain who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is an enemy of Batman. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and by artist Don Newton. The character's first appearance was a shadowy cameo in Batman #357, which was also the first appearance of Jason Todd.

Penguin

The Penguin or Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot is a fictional supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is known as one of Batman's oldest and most persistent enemies. Artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger introduced him in Detective Comics #58. The Penguin is a short, round man known for his love of birds and his specialized high-tech umbrellas. A mobster and thief, he fancies himself as being a "gentleman of crime"; his nightclub business provides a cover for criminal activity, which Batman sometimes uses as a source of criminal underworld information. According to Kane the character was inspired from the then advertising mascot of Kool cigarettes – a penguin with a top hat and cane. Finger thought the image of high-society gentlemen in tuxedos was reminiscent of emperor penguins.
Burgess Meredith portrayed the Penguin in the 1960s Batman television series and its movie. Danny DeVito played a darker, more grotesque version in the 1992 film Batman Returns. Subsequent Batman animated series featured him in depictions that alternated between deformed outcast and high-profile aristocrat.

General Zod

General Zod is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is one of Superman's more prominent enemies. The character, who first appeared in Adventure Comics #283, was created by Robert Bernstein and initially designed by George Papp. Zod is a warlord from Superman's home planet of Krypton. As a Kryptonian, he exhibits the same powers and abilities as Superman and is consequently viewed as one of his greatest enemies.
In Superman and Superman II, British actor Terence Stamp portrayed the character, which Total Film later ranked as #32 on their "Top 50 Greatest Villains Of All Time" list in 2007. Pop-culture website IGN.com ranked General Zod as #30 on their list of the "Top 100 Comic Book Villains", asserting that "Stamp is Zod". Recently, the character was played by Michael Shannon in Zack Snyder's 2013 film Man of Steel, and by Callum Blue in Smallville.

Here are the best DC villains ranked best to worst by comic book fans.&nbsp;These popular bad guys in DC Comics are the best of the ...